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| Time for something different. |
| 02.28.04 (12:14 pm) [edit] |
:) Yesterday was errand day, a day I've been putting off due to feeling like proverbial caca, along with my usual reluctance to budge from the house. While sitting in the torture chamber, otherwise known as the playarea of MacDonalds, listening to the cacaphony of children who didn't know the other existed ten minutes previous, profess best friendship and create elaborate 'just say' games it struck me how very like the internet being a child is. :oops:
I have been spending lots of time chatting with my dear online friends (via instant messaging, various 'chat' programs and email) and while I love and cherish them all dearly it struck me, as I flipped through a local newspaper for the first time in months, just how much I miss being Canadian.
Some of you may know this already but I'm Canadian born and bred, grew up in north central Saskatchewan and moved to Calgary as a young adult. (well, a 17 yo but I *thought* I was an adult :)) A short stint of six months of day after day rain and the 'worse winter in 30 years' convinced me that the lower mainland aka (Langley, BC) was not for me and I skedaddled back to Calgary as fast my poor little dodge hauling a U haul could roll. Along the way I've discovered that I like being Canadian, but when forced into a corner and asked to define it, I whimper and quiver and generally say something self deprecatingly funny. Oh wait, that *is* being Canadian *snicker*.
While flipping through the paper it came to me that I've been finding more interest in the goings on in the US and S. Africa to name but two places where friends I hold dear reside. I'd been losing touch with my own current affairs. Partly by conscious choice. After the World Trade Center terrorist attack and the subsequent war on terrorism I have made a point of not turning on the news. Head in the sand you say, oh probably but for my own personal peace of mind it's been a good thing. It started before that, though, with the Columbine shootings.
It was brought home by a cute little set of remarks in an editorial by Stephen Lautens (http://www.lautens.com) that was about of all things, slipping on the sidewalk in winter. You can link to it from his site, it's called The Rules of Ice Acrobatics and it's a fun read. Note: depending when you are reading this you may well have to search his archives for it. See February 27th, 2004. The part that set my Canadian brain cells in motion goes as follows: "Sidewalk spill etiquette demands that passing strangers pause just long enough over you to say: "You OK?"
The correct Canadian response is: "Nothing hurt but my pride."
This little exchange allows everyone to get on with their lives in peace. The stranger can then leave you there in the mush with the feeling that had there been something really wrong, they would have gladly donated an organ, but just as happy they didn't have to."
Now that, my dear online friends, is a fine example of being Canadian, we want to look like we care, and on a certain level we really do, and we would give you that organ if you truly needed it, but we just don't want to be bothered about doing so.
So now that my Canadian cells are firing again, I'll listen to my friends, and even talk intelligently with them about their issues. But I think I'll pick up the local paper and thumb through it now and then, read Rick Bell and his take on Ralph and "Sherriff West", laugh at our politicians instead of the US' and worry about the possibility of racism in my town, instead of in S. Africa.
And, in the back of my mind, where it truly counts, I'll continue being as Canadian as possible, under the current circumstances.
Back to knitting soon folks.
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| Life other than knitting... |
| 02.26.04 (3:32 am) [edit] |
:P Yes friends there can be life other than knitting, frankly it sucks though *GRIN*.
I've had sick kids, sick computers and sick cars enough this past week to last me a while. Somewhere in there I did a little bit on the Irish Diamond Shawl. I'm on row 156 now of 175, creeping slowly to an end. The shawl is from Folk Shawls, by Cheryl Oberle. I'm not taking pictures until it's done.
I've done a bit more on the FPS. I am at the end of Tier 5 now and actually got through a Birch Leaves without tinking back *YAY* And that was in front of the TV so there is hope. I have this in mind for my second daughter, possibly even as her wedding shawl someday. She's only 5'3' so I'm tempted not to make it the full length. I've decided to block it a bit at tier 15 and see the length then. The pattern says to end it at Tier 19, 21 or 23 (full length) but I think even at Tier 19, it's going to be overly long. :lol: A ways to go yet before I really need to worry about that.
I have two seaman style scarves in mind to make for a couple of lion buddies of mine. One will be in Copper Jaggerspun Zephyr and the other in Bottle Green. Or maybe Emerald, I've bought both and love both colours.
I also picked up some Jaggerspun LambSpun (a superwash cobweb?) in Thistle. I have an old pattern for a Shetland Shawl that that is destined for. There is a picture, but it's really of a lovely baby sitting on what appears to be a lacy shawl :roll: The shawl folks, that's what the pattern pic needs to be of.
Anyways, I'm trying to chart it and see about doing it on circs, as the pattern as written is worked edging first, pick up stitches for it and knit down to the center square in wedges, with the center square being done and the live stitches worked in. It sounds complicated as I try to explain it *GRIN*. let alone knit it. I'm hoping that by charting it, I will see the patterning a bit and can decide whether to continue with doing it or not.
Time for this knitter to be in bed, g'night all and may you all have error free rows for days on end.
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| I am so weak... |
| 02.20.04 (12:25 pm) [edit] |
:( I caved....
I'm on row 52 of the Peacock Feathers Shawl which can be seen at http://www.fiddlesticksknitti... NAYY in Marine Blue Jaggerspun Zephyr.
:oops: I just couldn't hold out any longer. You are all knitters, you understand right? The yarn kept calling me, waving those little free ends enticingly at me...wiggling and beckoning me to come, just pet me a little, you don't even have to take me out of the bag...just reach in, that's it, just touch me ...ahhh...
And the pattern, it's nearly as bad, winking in its plastic sleeve, the picture of the shawl glistening in the light (so ok I could have put it away in my filing cabinet but what's the fun in that?) So I thought, ok, I'll be good, and instead of just diving in like I normally do, I'll read the pattern through... the pages are so soft, a lovely choice on the colour of the direction and chart pages, a good mix of charts and written instructions (thank you Dorothy Seimens, I have every intention of purchasing more of your fine patterns based on how this one was presented...it's lovely).
So being determined to be a good little knitter, rather than the splash ahead, we don't need no stinkin' swatches, frogpond alumni knitter I normally am I carefully read through the instructions. And I swatched. Well, I started to swatch *heavy sigh* but the pattern swatch and the pattern for the beginning is the same (sort of.. well it is at 2 am ok?) so I thought, I'll just do the first chart and measure that.
So *technically* I swatched. :lol: not knitted.
The FPS is still on the go. Things are going along nicely, I haven't had to frog since the Birch leaves block on tier 4.
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| Oh What a good girl am I... |
| 02.17.04 (10:09 pm) [edit] |
:shock: I didn't knit the new wool. *I know...wow huh?*
Ok to be truthful I would have, but Buffy was good, one the very few episodes I haven't seen, (and yes, I do know that Buffy is over but I like it :) ) And I got a call from my hubby on his travels.
So fate intervened. Darn it. *chuckles* I did however flip through some copies of INKnitters and reevalutated a ground design stitch though, and yes, I petted it a little. Well you can't have it getting all lonely and melancholy, cooped up in a plastic bag. That's how wool gets all tanglely and out of sorts. When you leave it and let it get to feeling lonely and unloved.
On the FPS front, 3 more blocks done. So long as I just sit and knit I can handle the Birch Leaves. But since it crops up once every three...sigh... I can't really go mindless knitting in front of the soaps. *Hey... Days is perking up...*
So my soap opera knitting has become the last few (taking for flipping ever) rows on the Irish Diamond Shawl in woolease woodbine. I'm on row 149 of 175...but that's a long stretch of purling on the return rows. Pictures of it when it's done. 8) For now, here's a sort of picture of my wool pedlar's shawl from Folk Shawls, as worn by Shady Kitty. http://new.sock-it-to-me.ca/s...
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| Yarn! |
| 02.17.04 (12:57 am) [edit] |
Ok...so you all know I went and bought yarn for two more shawls right? I bet you think I've casted on for both of them well you're wrong bwahaahaa. I haven't...by some incredible stretch of will power I haven't even taken the cones out of the bag to fondle, stroke or pet them :shock:
What I have been doing is working like crazy on the Forest Path Shawl... getting 3 blocks done in one sitting in front of the good old soaps. (I didn't dare attempt Birch Leaves ... as Days was coming on). :twisted:
Now the Marine Blue is for the Peacock Shawl as I already said... and the curry is for the shawl I'm dreaming up. Now the focal point of this shawl will be a big cat. And I spent an enjoyable time with a friend or two who happen to be quite knowledgeable about this big cat. So I'm reallly looking forward to this...
:roll: Now I'm sitting in my computer room and through the door I can see the bag of yarn sitting on the back of the couch where I usually knit...and there is it again. The litle dangley free end of the cone, worming its way out of the bag, taunting me with its silky hand and exquiste colour. Beckoning me to swatch and measure and wash and block and measure again, telling me all its secrets and desires...
Now sometimes ladies and the few gents I know that knit, a knitter has just got to do what a knitter has to do... so what if it's 1 am. Buffy's on and I was going to sit up for an hour anyways. :wink:
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| Birch Leaves are Dust! |
| 02.15.04 (4:52 pm) [edit] |
Well, at least that one particular block of them. :( I really don't know why I'm having this problem with that block. I was so worried about the Lily of the Valley one and I can do that one without the chart. :D
Here's a link to that picture I've been promising you all.
http://new.sock-it-to-me.ca/fpshawl3rdtier.jpg" title="http://new.sock-it-to-me.ca/fpshawl3rdtier.jpg" target="_blank"http://new.sock-it-to-me.ca/f...
I'm further along now..but not by a whole heck of a lot. Why the heck not you ask? Umm..*bites her lip*... I went shopping for more wool? For another shawl... or two.. (gaaah did she say two?) I picked up the pattern for Peacock Feather Shawl (viewable at http://www.fiddllesticksknitt... ) and have been searching for a source for Jaggerspun Zephyr. I had about decided to bite the bullet and actually ask my husband (currently down in the US ) to pick me up some. Those of you who know me, this is a big deal as he's not that willing to contribute to the bags, boxes and rubbermaid tubs of yarn already residing in our home. By chance I asked at one of LYS and was told of Shuttleworks (http://www.shuttleworks.com ) Now... I drive by this particular intersection of highways, hmmm easily 3 or 4 times a month and over the past year, probably even more often than that. Did I see the sign? No...and if DH did he was keeping his mouth shut. ( :roll: ) I spent a lovely time there perusing the cones of yarn...think candy store kiddies. :) I came away with only a 5 ounce cone of the Zephyr in Marine Blue and a 4 ounce cone of the Curry. The marine blue is destined for the Peacock Shawl and the Curry is for my as yet undesigned but conceptualized as a one I will be adding tinting to by hand after it's knit. More on that later.
So as a result of my little shopping expedition I have been picking up the Forest Path Shawl more often, trying to be a good little knitter and only have one major project on the go at once. Look! I'm knitting on it now.. :roll: I am! Really! *chuckles*...
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| Birch Leaves = *EVIL* |
| 02.13.04 (4:17 pm) [edit] |
Just a quick note to let anyone following the shawl know that it's coming along well. I am on the 3rd block of tier 3 (lily of the valley) and have to say that Birch Leaves is EVIL. It's the only one I find myself getting confused on. The other two both seem to have a natural progression (which I'm sure exists in Birch leaves too) but Birch Leaves is tedious for me, because of constantly referring to the pattern.
UPDATE: I've currently ripped back Birch Leaves on tier 4 three times now and while that's a huge pain, I'm happy to report that the merino is holding up.
I"ve got a great pic of the shawl up to tier 3 that a wonderful friend cleaned up really nicely for me. I hope to have it posted later today. As well as a tagboard added. Talk to you all later.
*hoofprint*
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| Forest Path Shawl...patten available from Interweave Knits Summer 2003. |
| 02.13.04 (4:12 pm) [edit] |
:D :D :D :D :D :D
Well I sit here the proud conqueror of the Lily of the Valley block in this stole ;). I was scared, fearful, in awe and, frankly, intimidated by this pattern after reading all the posts on the knittedlace list (www.knittedlace.com) about it. So many had posted about the purl 5tog that I was psyching myself out. I tried it. I couldn't do it. I tried p2tog p3tog,pass first over second, I didn't like it... I fiddled with adding an extra yo before and after ..still didn't like it... so ... I cheated :oops:. I knit into the back loop but wrapped the yarn counterclockwise, same with the yarn overs :) suddenly it's a snap to purl 5tog. They look ok ;) (I promise, I'm looking for a place to archive photos for here :) I really am. *GRIN*)
I'm halfway through the Birch Leaves section but ran into a counting problem, (damn Days of Our Lives for killing off yet another character *frown*) so once I figure out where I went bad there I'll have completed all three of the lace patterns.
Really, for anyone that's contemplating it ;) go for it. It's not as tough as it looks and the pattern is well written (provided you *read* it and not *skim* it as I am wont to do :) Nothing like actually reading that I have to remember the selvedge stitches lol. Made a whole heck of a lot more sense after that. The lace blocks are only 20 stitches by 39 or 40 rows. Much easier to keep track of compared to the 700 plus stitches I needed to pick up off a border for the shetland shawl I had intended this wool for. :) Of course, that's still on the list and will likely hit the needles after this stole.
Faina has done a lovely job of giving me a great entry level lace project...(darn nice of her, don't you think?)
Well enough blathering on for how...back to the shawl and since I can't find out till, oh sometime in the next ratings sweeps who really killed Roman et al on Days I should be ok for counting for a while :). :oops:
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| Orignal post, December 31, 2003 |
| 02.13.04 (4:05 pm) [edit] |
Happy New Year!
I've already visited the frog pond on my Forest Path Shawl. Luckily didn't have to dive right in but I did have to pull back two of the three beginning triangles I had done. Just me and poor counting...:) So I spent the afternoon in front of Discovery Channel and tink'd back. That was NOT fun. On the second one I managed to put in a lifeline and just zip it off. The yarn looked none the worse for wear and reknitted nicely. (Definitely a plus for me ;). Later tonight I might try my first lace square. I believe it's Fern :) . Then again, I'm sipping some nice Chardonnay right now so ...hmm maybe not *GRIN*. But then again, it is only 20 x 39 rows right? :).
Hope you all have a wonderful evening, night and first few days of 2004. I'm hoping to be a little more organized (it could happen!) in 2004 and post here more often.
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| Forest Patch Shawl |
| 02.13.04 (3:58 pm) [edit] |
:D OK THIS WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED ON HTTP://THEREALUNICORN.CRIMSONBLOG.COM ON DECEMBER 28, 2003 I'M REPOSTING IT HERE TO KEEP ALL POSTS REGARDING THIS SHAWL IN THE SAME PLACE.
First on the knitting front, after much drooling, wishful thinking and self doubt I've started Faina's Forest Path Stole from Interweave Knits (Summer 2003). As any of you on the laceknitters list will know...this was the project du jour for quite some time. I bought the magazine, had a drool and thought, nope...probably not. I'd thought idly of doing something similar a while back when I first figured out (after 4 years) how to do entralac (courtesy of a website or two :). The idea of doing lace blocks seemed a good one. But since I had no experience in designing and none other than the odd Feather and Fan I thought oh well, maybe some day. So now that I've had a go or two at lace :) and have an entralac afghan or two under my belt I'm giving it a shot. It's going to be my ongoing project, while I finish up a few other things. Making less than an appreciable dent in my PIGS :) but still.
I'm working it on 4 mm needles with a fine laceweight merino. I was given it so I'm not sure of the brand but it was bought at Gina Brown's in Calgary and I want more of it so when I get it I'll post the brand etc ;). I think that the needles are a bit bigger than most used but I want this very very airy and light. I'm hoping I'm not looking at a lot of frogging somewhere down the line, but I guess we'll see.
Enough babbling...too distracted...will post more soon ;) I promise :) see you folks :).[LINE]
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